Cost Estimator salary in Madison, WI
Cost Estimators in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $73,420 a year ($35.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 720 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,260 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 4% lower than the Wisconsin statewide median of $76,270. There are 1.8 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $77,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,710 | $26.79 |
| 25th percentile | $57,550 | $27.67 |
| Median | $73,420 | $35.30 |
| 75th percentile | $94,740 | $45.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,260 | $52.53 |
| Average (mean) | $77,370 | $37.20 |
Half of cost estimators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,118.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,059.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,823.85 |
| Weekly | $1,411.92 |
| Hourly | $35.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cost Estimator salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $82,440 | 3,100 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $79,230 | 160 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $79,030 | 130 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $78,090 | 1,400 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $77,710 | 130 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $77,710 | 140 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $77,330 | 140 |
| Appleton, WI | $76,230 | 290 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $75,740 | 200 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $75,250 | 120 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $75,150 | 90 |
| Green Bay, WI | $74,120 | 400 |
| Wausau, WI | $71,850 | 150 |
| Kenosha, WI | $68,370 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for cost estimators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $100,840 |
| Alaska | $97,020 |
| Wyoming | $90,790 |
| Colorado | $86,940 |
| Washington | $86,070 |
| California | $85,460 |
| Illinois | $82,750 |
| District of Columbia | $82,730 |
| Nevada | $82,200 |
| Rhode Island | $81,990 |
See Cost Estimator pay in every state or the Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialist | $98,990 | $47.59 |
| Management Analyst | $97,170 | $46.72 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $76,660 | $36.86 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $67,990 | $32.69 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $76,230 | $36.65 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $81,200 | $39.04 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $77,500 | $37.26 |
| Compliance Officer | $80,440 | $38.67 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $74,770 | $35.95 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $56,520 | $27.17 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $69,010 | $33.18 |
| Fundraiser | $66,040 | $31.75 |
| Logistician | $79,910 | $38.42 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $98,430 | $47.32 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 13-1051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cost estimator make in Madison, WI?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Madison, WI metro area is $73,420 a year, or $35.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $109,260 a year. The top 25% earn $94,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,710 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $57,550 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Madison, WI?
About 720 cost estimators are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.